Timely possession (10)

It was a sunny day, too sunny. The sun shone mockingly into my eyes and made it hard to pay attention. I gnashed my teeth together and turned my head in the opposite direction, how can I be expected to pay attention when the sun is out there... grrrrr

"Ms. Erem, what's the answer to the problem on the board?" The teacher glared fiercely at me.

"Aaa, that's..." squinting I tried to make out what was on the board, it was a math problem. An easy problem with one variable -but I don't have a calculator.

It's been years since I last used mental math, I mean I could probably solve it if I had a few minutes...BUT I DON'T HAVE A FEW MINUTES!

"Ms. Erem do you have an answer?" The teacher adjusted their glasses and contemptuously stared down at me.

"Hah can I have a minute to work it out?"

The teacher continued to stare in silence. I'll take that as a yes...

I hurriedly worked out the answer and after a short eternity I raised my voice to answer.

The teacher clicked his tongue "next time pay attention in class."

Hmm I avoided total failure, but it doesn't feel satisfying.

After class Lady Rodenne, the rat girl who provoked me, confronted me. "That was pretty mean of that teacher huh?"

"Aa, I suppose- but it is my fault that I wasn't paying attention."

Lady Rodenne's lips formed a tiny smile "if you need help with math I wouldn't mind lending you my aid."

She confidently placed her hand on her hip "I don't mind helping people who are inferior to me. In fact I think of it as my duty, considering my perfect lineage and role as a noble."

Wow, thanks...

How should I respond to this? From our past interactions it didn't seem like I could offend her and get away scot free, but how could I be expected to take that with a straight face. 'Inferior to me' are you kidding?

ARE YOU KIDDING?! Calm, I'm very calm suuuuper calm.

"Lady Rodenne wouldn't that just be a bother to you?"

"Of course not! If I am being honest I feel guilty for provoking you the other day."

That's a surprisingly nice thought, maybe she has a nice heart. Also she said she wanted to help, that's basically the same as me. aaah, I guess I'll give her a chance- it'd be nice to have a normal friend.

"It's not so much math as paying attention that troubles me, but I do have a huge problem with controlling my magic. If you really don't mind then I would appreciate your help."

She laughed haughtily "ohoho it would be my pleasure to enlighten you."

Is her way of talking more offensive or funny? I think I'll go with funny for now. It's more exaggerated than Jamie, I wonder if she's doing it on purpose or compensating for something?

"Fantastic! I'll find you after school." Lady Rodenne walked away before I could say anything more. Props for confidence I guess. How does she plan on finding me though? Kind of makes me want to hide.

A student popped their head into the class and told me that the principal wanted to see me.

Ack, have I done anything wrong lately???? I don't think sooo.

I gripped the doorknob, and slowly turned it. Instead of the principal I was greeted by a sleeping Julius. Huh?

The room was empty aside from me and Julius, did he kick the principal out then take a nap???? Why??? Is it a power fantasy thing??????

"Ummm Julius, what are you doing?"

He sat up slowly and rubbed his eyes. "You're here."

"this isn't your office, you can't just hang out here." I crossed my arms and scolded him.

His expressions stayed passive "don't waste my time with your useless whining."

Okayyyy, so that's how it's gonna go.

He stood up and walked toward me. " even if it's the smallest feeling, I have to confirm it."

Aack, but I'm not prepared yet. "Confirm? What could you possibly mean?" My voice cracked nervously.

Julius closed the door and twisted the lock, he stayed in front of the door blocking my escape. "I'm going to ask you a direct question, don't try to avoid it."

Haha...should I be worried? Eeeh it'll will be fi- AHHHHHHHHHHH.

The pain in my head started again, it hurt even more than the last two times. Aaaaack I don't think I can stay conscious...

Suddenly everything was black.

Olivia's POV

"Haha, Julius it's been a while."

Julius's passive expression morphed into a disgusted one "so you've decided to show your face you witch. I thought I warned you that if you appeared in front of me again I'd kill you"

"You can't, not this time." I smiled confidently at him.

"Oh and why would that be?" His cold gaze and voice sent shivers down my spine,I was suddenly reminded of all the times he had killed me- but I had finally succeeded.

"The other person who is in this body, the one who just fainted would you care to guess what her name is?"

Julius's cold gaze stayed unnerving

I gulped, it's too late to doubt myself "Ellie Cross, the one you've been desperately looking for."

"I don't believe you." His cold words terrify me, but I have to stay confident.

"But you're not willing to risk it, come on it won't hurt you to confirm it before you kill me." I brought my finger to my face and tried to sound nonchalant "but if I'm telling the truth, then killing me would mean killing your beloved Ellie-and I don't plan on letting you out of this cycle while you're still a danger to me."

His glare intensified and he took a step towards me "very well, but the second I confirm the truth I will kill you. And it won't be quick or painless this time." His lips twisted into an ominous smile that was all too familiar.

I took a deep breath and let myself relax a little, at the very least I had bought a bit of time. It was always a gamble to mention Ellie, one wrong step and all negotiations would fall through. "I'll give the body back to Ellie now, remember I'm watching you Julius."

As Julius continued to glare at me I let my conscious fade almost completely.

Ellie's POV

When I opened my eyes Julius was staring at me with a hostile expression, ah he reminds me of a mad puppy dog. Resisting the urge to pat him on the head I took a step toward the door which he was no longer blocking. I must of blacked out from the pain, and he came forward to help me. "Well sorry about that, guess I'll leave now"

Seeing a chance I untwisted the lock and was about to open the door when he grabbed my shoulder.

"You, are you really Ellie?'"

Ack, I've been caught. "Hahaaaa, that's...well what is a name really?"

"Answer the question"

"Mmmmm, what if I got back to you tomorrow on that."

Julius furrowed his brows in confusion "you really do act just like her, did Olivia instruct you on how to act?"

Olivia??? But that's who I am??? Is there someone else named Olivia?

"No, I don't think so..." I slowly twisted the doorknob so he wouldn't notice.

"Are you lying to me?"

"Lying???!" This brat of all brats asking me if I'm lying ???

I quickly opened the door and darted out. Using wind magic I shut the door in Julius's face and ran away.

A couple of minutes later I was panting in a storage closet trying to regain my breath. Mmm I should really find Cyrus.

After about 15 minutes I stepped out of the closet, and asked the first student I saw if they knew where Cyrus was. They directed me towards the library.

Ah! I did it I made it to my destination without a head attack or a distracting conversation. Life really is about the small victories~

I immediately spotted Cyrus reading a book and ran over to him. "Cyrus!"

He looked up from his book "yes?"

"If Julius makes me disappear, you'll come save me right?"

Cyrus opened and closed his eyes, as if he was making sure I was real and not some weird vision. "What do you mean disappear?"

"You know if I don't show up to school and the last place people saw me was with Julius!"

"But why would he make you 'disappear'" he said disappear in an over exaggerated tone.

"You think I'm joking, but I'm not." I plopped into the seat next to him "I'll take that as a promise, and I plan on holding you to it."

"Sure...Olivia whatever you say."